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We grieve the tragic loss of our friend and colleague Lara Sobel

11 August 2015

The Department for Children and Families and state agencies and individuals across Vermont mourn the tragic death of Lara Sobel, the dedicated Family Services social worker who was tragically shot and killed on Friday, August 7, 2015. Our thoughts are with her husband, daughters, family, friends and co-workers as we all grieve her loss.

As Vermonters, we need to come together and support one another through this difficult time. We also need to stand up and support all the dedicated social workers throughout this state who — just as Lara did — take on incredibly challenging situations every day involving children and families.

The work they do is not easy. They do it with courage, incredible dedication, and deep caring. I am sincerely grateful for the difficult work they do each and every day on behalf of children and families in Vermont. They deserve our respect. And now, more than ever, they need our support.

We are so grateful for the outpouring of heart-felt sentiment we have received from individual Vermonters, government leaders, community partners, our colleagues in state government, and child protection agencies from across the country.